If you’ve been reading anything from Marvel in the past month or so, then you may have noticed the Mazda ad on the back that consists of two panels: the top on shows Doctor Octopus webbed up while Spidey poses triumphantly atop a new Mazda. The panel below it shows Peter Parker and Mary Jane, arms full of shopping bags about to get into the same new Mazda car. I just wanna say that I call BS on this image.

Not to take anything away from artist Todd Nauck, who illustrated the ad. I really like his work as evidenced by sharing this link with examples of his superb and very solid work. My problem with this ad should be obvious on the lower panel with MJ and her tiger. First of all, Pete and MJ are New Yorkers (Yorkians?), they never have and never will have need to own a car, let alone a brand new car considering the Parker luck. Not to mention that we all know that Peter’s income is not going to afford him a brand new car and a shopping spree, unless MJ just hit the jackpot with a modeling or acting gig. Also, let’s not bastardize the “With great power comes great responsibility” phrase with “With great fun comes great practicality.” Uncle Ben is spinning in his grave!

Frustratingly enough, I cannot find a copy of the ad anywhere online! This ad has been running on the back cover of every Marvel comic for the past couple of weeks though, if you’re curious at all about what I’m talking about here. I did dig up the above image in my frenzied search to find a copy of the ad. Not long ago, Image released a comic series called revved, which apparently was a promo campaign to get people to by sporty cars with trashy tribal tattoo graphics on them. Has anyone ever read this, or heard of it?

In any case, I just want to point out that Pete and MJ take the subway, or cabs to get around New York when they’re not web-swinging. Again, nothing against the artist, or even Mazda for that matter, I’m just sayin’…

-Jim

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